How to Create a Service

Services are the core of your practice, and knowing how to set them up correctly ensures a smooth experience for both your team and clients.

Step 1: Navigate to Services

Log in to your Pabau account, and in the left sidebar menu, go to Setup, then click on the "Services" button under "Services".

Step 2: Create a New Service

1. Click New Service in the top right corner.
2. Under Choose a service type to add to your menu, pick Service (booked by one client in a single visit), Virtual (uses Pabau’s online video conferencing) or Class (booked by several clients in scheduled sessions).

Choose the type of service you want to add

3. The Create Service window opens. Its tabs run along the top:

• General: the name, code, category, colour and image.
• Assign: the locations, employees and resources (rooms and equipment) for the service.
• Pricing: how the service is sold, its price, length and tax.
• Online Booking: how the service appears to clients booking online.
• Forms: messages and forms the client receives before and after the appointment.
• Addons: optional extras clients can add to the service.

The tabs run along the top of the Create Service window

A number beside Forms and Addons shows how many items are already set up there, and the Assign sub-tabs show how many locations, employees and resources are selected.

Step 3: Fill Service Details - General Tab

In the General tab, enter the service details:

• Service name – This name will be visible to clients, so make sure it’s accurate. After you type it, Pabau may offer ready-made ideas from its service library, such as a description and booking-page details. Click the sparkle button beside the name to see them.
• Service code – Optional.
• Category – The category this service belongs to.
• Appointment colour – Appointments for this service will show in the calendar with this colour.
• Image – This image appears at checkout. Click Choose from library to add one.

Open Bundle services together if this service is a bundle of other services, and click Add Services to choose them.

Under Advanced settings, you can configure:

• Automatic Consumption: link consumable or retail products to the service. When this service is sold, the system automatically deducts the product quantity from your stock. Click Add Product to choose the items and quantities.
• Other Information: the SKU (a unique code for stock tracking), the Invoice item name (shown on invoices instead of the service name) and Display text on invoice (extra text shown on invoices for this service).
• Online appointment: turn this on if the service is a virtual service.
• Patch Test: turn this on for services that require a patch test. This will prompt reminders during appointment booking.

Step 4: Assign Locations and Staff - Assign Tab

In the Assign tab, select which locations offer this service (the Locations sub-tab appears when you have more than one), which employees can perform it, and the rooms and equipment it needs under Resources. Only employees assigned to the service can be booked for it online.

Step 5: Specify Pricing and Booking Details - Pricing Tab

In the Pricing tab:

1. Under Available for, choose how the service is offered. Hover over an option to see exactly what it means:
   • Book & sell: can be booked as an appointment in the calendar or online, and sold on its own at checkout in the point of sale.
   • Book only: can be booked in the calendar or online, but isn't listed in the point of sale, so it can't be sold without an appointment.
   • Sell only: can only be sold at checkout in the point of sale. It can't be booked in the calendar or online.
2. Enter the Service price (it's called Default price if your clinic uses insurance billing). The Cost price is optional. The currency is based on your business settings.
3. Choose the Duration, which can be adjusted when booking, and the Tax rate. Click Add extra time to add Processing time (the staff member can see another client) or Blocked time (keeps them unavailable) before or after the service.
4. If the price depends on what's used or how long it takes, click Pricing Rules and choose how you charge, for example per unit, per syringe, per minute or per area.
5. Use Special Pricing to set different prices for team members, locations or price lists.
6. Under Deposits & online payments, the service follows your Company policy for deposits. Click Change to set a different deposit or payment for this service.

Hover over an option to see what it means

Step 6: Set the Online Booking Settings

In the Online Booking tab, you can manage how the service appears when clients book online.

1. Turn Enable this service online on or off.
2. Add a Friendly name — this is how the service will appear to clients when booking online. For example, you might write "Initial Consultation" instead of the internal name used in your clinic.
3. Add a Description to tell clients what the appointment includes, who it’s suitable for and any preparation needed. If you’re unsure what to write, click Generate to draft one automatically from the service name, then edit it to match your tone. Each use of Generate deducts 5 credits from your Pabau credit balance.
4. Use Extended description (Add heading, Add text, Add expander) and Highlights (Add highlight) for more detail and key facts on the service's booking page.
5. Expand Add Service Notice to include any terms, instructions or notices clients should see before confirming the booking (e.g. cancellation policy, arrival time).

How the service appears to clients booking online

Step 7: Attach Forms and Messages - Forms Tab

1. Open the Forms tab. Once something is attached, the number on the tab shows how many items there are.
2. Click Add in Precare (messages sent once the service is booked), Forms (forms the client completes for this service, such as a consent form) or Aftercare (messages sent after checkout, or once the appointment is marked complete). See How to Attach Forms and Messages to a Service.

Attach messages and forms to the service

Step 8: Offer Optional Extras - Addons Tab

1. Open the Addons tab.
2. Click Create option group to offer extras clients can add to the service, such as an add-on treatment, with their own price and time. See How to Add Addons to a Service.

The Addons tab

Step 9: Confirm and Create

Make sure the Active toggle is turned on in the upper right corner, then click Create to save your new service.

What's next?

• How to Edit a Service
• How to Set Up Service Pricing
• How to Set Up Extra Time in Services
• How to Attach Forms and Messages to a Service
• How to Add Addons to a Service
• How to Set Up a Service Team With Attendee Roles